Family issues ensured last term was hard for the Spaniard, but his boss did his best to make things as simple as possible for him

David Silva hailed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as a "fantastic human" for the understanding he showed in allowing the midfielder to take time off last season following the premature birth of his son.

Silva missed several City matches around the turn of the year in order to travel home to spend time with family after his new-born son Mateo fell seriously ill.

Although it was a difficult moment in his life, Silva was given the freedom to do whatever he felt he needed to by Guardiola, missing some key matches as a result.

After the initial worries, Mateo is now doing better, but Silva acknowledges it was the most difficult period of his life.

"They were very hard times, the toughest months of my life," he added.

"It was the fear of the unknown. Everything was okay, but they said in a week's time they didn't know. It scared me to death.

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"When you are travelling abroad to see your family, you can't be 100 per cent concentrated on your job or profession with a problem like this. The travelling to and from Spain was a very difficult time.

"Mateo is very good at the moment and thank God everything is okay now.

"I have to keep an eye on him all the time. The doctors are doing different tests, but fingers crossed everything is okay. I am very happy and I will be 100 per cent ready for the new season."